Expanded-metal manufacture.



N. E. CLARK.

EXPANDED METAL MANUFAG'IUli-E.-

APPLIOATIOH FILED IA! 31, 1907. Patented May '27, 1913.

lid

. Qo o o o w o ooo o o Hot new.

called expanded metal. r

"'Unrr D 'sT TEsPATENT OFFICE.

NORRIS ELMORE CLARK, OF PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE NATTONAL METAL FABRIC COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Origin-til application filed February 23,

Be it known that I,Nonn1s V a: citizen of thcUnited States, residing at llainvllle, Hartford county, Connecticut,

have invented certain 'new and useful Im provements in Expanded-Metal l\ Isinufacv 'ture, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention. relates -to improvements in the art, process=or method of forming so- This application is a divisional one from Serial No.- 302,406, filed by me February ,23, 1906.,- l

The main object is. to manufacture es- EXPANDED-METAL MANUFACTURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

1906, Serial No. 302,406. 31, 1907. Serial No. 376,573.

ELMonE CLARK,

pended metal particularly of the fiattype of. my. former'Patent No. 767,798.

The: particular product of the method of n'ianufacture hel' my application 2c, 1900. on my former method of Patent No. 767,798.

ial No. 32%,45L filed June The method is fully set forth in the follow;

ingispecitication and claims? Viewed from ditl'erent aspects the improvements will be found to contemplate anumber of novel operations and sequences;

The stock is first slitted longitudinally, fjir,

instance, as set forth in my Patent h 875,153, dated, I-)cee1nlml.' 31, 1007, and then expanded laterally so that the product con- .sists of continuous strips spaced apart at intervals in alternating rows. After slitting,

the stock is rolled and flattened ready-for expansion and the flattening slightly opens the slits and insures a more uniform expansion. The full expansion occurs in a plurality of stages, so asto be more llIllllIOllTl. l t is intermittentandconfined tolimited portions in set forth is claimed in.

T his method is an innn'orement- Patent-ed May 27, 1913.

Divided and this application filed. May

inail plane and not strained. The bending isaccon'iplished by long tapering punches in the slits so that the action is gradual. The

first expansion is along lines converging in thec lirection of feed of the stock, so that there is no tendency to cause the stool: to buckle. This also causes the inside slits, to be slightly opened and ready for the next punch action. After expansion the material is rolled to take out any tendency to buckle; It may also be treated forsetting the bonds and strands into any special form. The flat product is conveniently coiled for handling,

and that While an organized machine is the most efqiedientineans of carrying the inventJUll into eficet. many steps might becarl'ied out by hand tools. While the entire method aecon'iplishes superior results, the different,

steps set forth in the claims have such tidi t'tll'ltilges make them useful in other and diherent ty ies of expanding machines.

Figure l s a diagrammatic side .view of mechanism for operatingaccording to my new and nnproved method. .-F1g.2 1s a plan view. of a piece of stock, showing the dif- 'i erentstages of manufacture from plain strip to expanded product. Fig. 3 an enlare'ed fragmentary. view, showing details of the product duringmanufacture. Fig. 4iis a similar view showing one completed mesh.

,l ig. 5 is a sideof the expanding mechanism proper. Fig. (1 is a plan view of the die bed or 'table ot' the expanding mechanism. Fig. 7 is a' view of the under side of the punch member of the expanding mechanism.

'The original stock 10 is fed by rolls M0 and 1-1-1 to the slitting mechanism, for instance die 2 and punch 6, by which the stock,

prepared for expansion. It is imma erial to this inventlon Whether material 15 removed by the slitting action or not. Of course no stock is wasted where thefaetion is' pure Y shearing, but I wish it understood-that by 4 slitting I mezfn to cover any method of forming" a sheet such as 11, so that it consists staggered arrangement, so that it is made up of strands and bonds and is in quality elastic. The slitting action roughens the material, so Iprefer to flatten it, for instance by rolls 142 and 143. This flattening f of thematerial also leaves the slits somewhat open, ready for the. expanding punches.

The difi'er'ent steps may be carried out in a single machine or separate machines. The flat .slitted material 12 'is then fed, for instanceby rolls 32 and 33, over a die bed or table 47, and the principal expansion is ef- -fected by punches carried by a press gate or m head 52. '.After expansion the product 13 is ';:Eew away by suitable means, for instance rolls 115 and 114, which preferably flatten it. It may afterward be finished, if desired, by rolls 144 and 145, and the finished article 14 coiled, as at 146, for convenience in han dling and shipment.

, In the expanding machine, gages such as 46-46 are preferably used, and one or bothpunches is divided preferably into two rows.

One of the punches 55is arranged on each side of the center line of movement of the feed of the strip at a distance from the center such that it will enter the outside slit in the strip and open it up, as shownv at 55' in Fig. 2. This punch 55 is shaped so that it will enter the slit and force the side strand out and slightly backward, 56 is 'a punch arranged to enter the [next inside alternate slit when the strip is fed forward, and open it, as shown at. 56 in Fig.2. This slit, however, has been partially opened by the action of the punch 55 in the opening 55'. 57 is another punch similar to punch 55 arranged alongside of the punch 56, which is outside the bond 15 and which operates at the same time with the punch 56. The two punches between them draw the bond into its proper direction and prevent the strands from being unduly strained. -58 is another punch similar to punch56 which enters and forms the opening .58. At the sa'me time the punch 59, which is similar to the punches 55 and 57, enters and forms essentially of a plurality of narrow stripsconnected alternately on opposite sides inthe opening 59, the bond between the openings 58' and 59' being directed by the two punches into such a position as to produce the least strain in the metal. A series of these punches like? 55 and 56 is employed converging toward the longitudinal axis of the strip. They are arranged in two rows,

as shown, and the punches of the inner'row are somewhat shorter than the punches of the outer row. The operation of the punches on the inner and outer rowsas soon as the strip has been fed in any length, is practically simultaneous. For this reason the punches of theinner row are made shorter, so that they do not enter until the opening in which they are to operate has been partially formed by the spreading of the strands on the outside by reason of the action of the outer row of punches. The punchesmay be secured in the carrier in any suitable manner.

60 is a punch arranged to operate in the center row of slits, as at 60'. This serves to expandthe metal at this point and also to guide the strip and insure its being carried .along in. its proper line. The openings 55,

are formed by tlie outer row of punches. v

74, 75', and 76" are formed by the inner row of punches, all simultaneously. In Fig.- 3 is shown on approximately a full-sized scale a fragment of the expanded metal after. operation by this ,first series of punches. In this figure I have illustrated a fragment of the metal partially expanded, with the dotted outlines of punches in position, just having finished an-operative stroke. The numbers applied to the openings are the same as the'numbers applied to the punches for forming them, with the addition of indices. It will be understood,- however, that all the punches of the outer row are essentially the same as the punch 55, and all the punches of the inner row are essentially the same as punch 56. The inner surface of the punch 59 presses against the outeredge 80 of the inner strands of the mesh 59 The bearing face of the punch is wider than the length of the bond 17. Similarly the outer face of the punch operates against theinner edge 81 ofthe outer strand. The next inside punch 58 forms the opening 58, and for this purpose located slightlyin advance of the punch 59. Itsouter surface presses against the inner edge 82 of the bond 17 opposite the inner face of the punch 59,-and being wider than tlie length (if the bond, it directs the bond to the proper inclination, so as to prevent undue strains in thestrands particularly adjacent the outer end of the bond.

The curves or bends in the strands adjacent the bond 17 are formed sufliciently re mote from the end of the slit to prevent rupture of the strandsland'to leave the strands in proper position relative to the other adjacent punches and the openings being formed thereby. The inner face of the punch 58 bears against the outer edge 83 of the strands which have not yet been opened, and tends to hold them in a. definite position.

.The stock is fed forward after each stroke of the punch, as before described, substantially the length from center to center of the slits. Each of the punches of the outer row entersthe next succeeding opening diag-v onally in line with it, which has previously; been formed by the next preced ng punch of the inner row upon the next suc-' oeeding stroke of the punch carrier enters the slit immediately to the rear. The

punches of the outer row being longer than. the inner row open up the next succeeding inner row of slits preparatory to the eutrance of thepunches of the inner row. The only punch, therefore, which has to strike the slits accurately, is .-the first punch 55 of the outer row. I

The centering punch 60 is symmetrically wedge-shaped on both sides, and serves to form the opening 60. The slit immediately succeeding the opening 60 is allowed to be partially opened by the action of the punches in theopenings 75 7 5 on the opposite sides, so that the punch 60 ma y more readily enter. This opening out is permittc by cutting back the inner faces of the punches which are to form the openings 75. f

The die bed 47 has a series of openings corresponding substantially in position and size'to the largest operative cross, section of the punches, so that anvil-like surfaces are provided for supporting the strands and bonds of the expanded -metal.

lVhen the punches are retracted they have a tendency to carry with them the expanded strip. To revent this, I provide a stripper plate 90 laving a series of passages approximately corresponding to'the punches and beneath which the metal is fed. This plate is mounted at its left end on headed posts 91 and pressed upward by rings 92. seen in Fig. The right han end of the plate 90 is guidedby brackets 93 93, which have slotted vertical arms through which the guide screws or bolls 94, as seen in Figs. 5 and 6. This end of the plate is. further supported as will hereafter described.

."For certain purposes the mechanism thus far described may be said to be complete, as, the product is expanded metal of considerably increased area and havingopenings depending upon the length of the slits and the size of the punches. WVhen the punch carrier is brought down for the ex panding action, the punches pass through Similarly, each the stripper plate '90,- expand the metal and then press the stripper down against the upper surface of the expanded metal and flatten it out to a certain extent The stroke or position of the punch carrier might be made less so that the stock would not be 7 flattened at all. For certain classes of work it is desirable that the expanded metal have step or expansion, I have found it desirable to employholding punches such as the punch 'shown in Figs. 5 and 7. These punches are located as shown, and are brou ht into operation in the openings numbere I 101 in Fig. 2. The oute surface of -each 'punch 100 serves to expand the metal artially on the outer side, while the inner ace" of each punch 100 serves to hold the adjacent metal on the inner side andpr'eventundue expansion. The two punches being arranged in the opposite openings 101, hold the metal in its proper position and prevent side pulls, which might result in improper action of the expanding punches beyond. The expanding ipunches are all substantially like punch shown in Figs. and 7: These operate 1n the openings 105, the outer face of each punch 104 acting againstthe inner edge of the opening and forcing the metal outward and expanding not only the adjacent metal, but. all the metal lying between the two opposite punches. The result is that it is not necessary in some cases to employ punches for any openings in the second series before the openings 105', except the holding, punches 100 just described. The width of each face of each punch 1s preferably greater than the length of the bonds and the corners are rounded, for the purpose before described of preventing rupture.

The number of punches employed, their size and arrangement, the presence or omission of any of the punches of either Series,

will depend largely upon the thickness of the metal, its ductility, and the size and This .is

shape of mesh desired. The same punches q I may, however, be used for diflerent thicknesses of metal within quite wide limits, but for special classes of work it may be neces' sary to design special punches, as willbe readily understood by one understanding the principles of sheet metal working.

After the metal comes from the machine.

thus far described, it may be passed through other machines of a similar character and larger size, or the second series of punches may be increased in number. The punches of this second series may also be arranged in a plurality of rows, as the punches of the first series,getting a more gradual ex pansion. There is not, however, in the machine herein shown, the same necessity for a double row of punches in the second series as there is for a double row in the first seriesbccause the metal has been given more nearly its final direction when. it leaves the first series of'punches, the furtherexpansion being simply one of distance or degree.

The expansion as herein described takes them. .plate 109, which, however, is arranged only along the outer edges of the punches. The plate might. however. be formed 'in one aie(1e, :is plate 90, with pi sages for the punches, but I prefer to form it as shcwn,

.so as to permit closer examination at the the punches are withdrawn from the metal,-

metal. during the tinal expanding acti n. This stripper plate is connected at. its lcijt hand end, as shown'in Fig. 5, to plate 00,-

and guided at this point. lt is also supported, on brackets such as 110, which are yieldingly held up by springs like 111. \Vhen the plates 90 and 109 hold down the expanded metal and strip it, as it i termed, from the punches.

ln soinecascs itlis desired to give a further form or shape t the expanded metal. This may be accomplished by means of an additional sct of pumhes. as 1 12. as shown u ,1 1 4 can lug. l. .lhese do not act as true expand ing punches, but simply bend the strands ,llilttSllillX. correspontling to their outline. lath-is way different designs may be produpOdJllf course, when such punches are elifsploycd. the die bed will he provit'led with .correspondmg openings. so that the metal around theopenings will act as an anvil to support the expanded metal. When such punches are employed, the stripper plate will,'.of course, be extended to correspond with. them, or a separate stripper plate emight be employed if desired.

lVhen the sheet of expanded metal leaves "."theg'punches it complete, but to give greater llllllf Qlfllllty of th ckness and finish in some eases-I prefer to employ rollers 11st and 115. These rollers not only serve to smooth out or finish the product, but they also produce a pull upon it so as to assist in the feed of the strip. The dimensions and rates of movement of the rolls at each end of the machine must be properly proportioned to the percentage of. expansion and contraction of the metal. Even when the discharge rolls 114 and 115 areemploycd, it is not always necessary to drive them positively, but they may be disconnected and act solely as a guide for the metal as it is forced through by the action of the feed rolls 32 and 33. lVhen the punches are brought into action as before described, the metal at' that instant, while being held stationary relative to its original strip, is foreshortened relative tot-he position of the rolls 114 and 115. This causes backward rotation of the rolls which is permitted by the gearing. The stock, however,

might be released by releasing the pressure of the rollers during the duration of action of the punches.

The invention. is adapted to the formationof expanded metal of various designs and forwarious purposes. I do not, therefore, limit myself to the production of metal as herein shown, nor do I limit myself to the particular mechanism herein shown for the purpose of slitting the metal. So also the two series of expanding punches may The be arranged in separate machines.

blank strips of metal when purchased are ordinarily in rolls or hoops. These strips after slitting may be rolled up again and. stored or transported preparatory to the expa-mding operation. For instance, they may. he again rolledup for transportation or other purposes. The width of the expanded metal maybe anything desired, depending only upon the original width ofv the stock and the size and arrangement of the machine. This method of manufacture, which makes it possible to produce expanded metal and coil it up for'transportation and storage, I consider of great importance, and, so tar as l' am aware, is entirely novel. By its use it is possible to employ expanded metal in building constructions in continuous strips, where heretofore it has been impossible,- it having been the customgto Weld or secure the ends of short strips together.

It will be obvious that many advantages of the method could be attained by holding the stock stationary and giving the punch members a'feeding movement as well as reciprocation. In other; words, the feed of the stock is simply relative to the punch members.

hat I claim is:

1. The method of forming expanded .metal, which includes first slitting a sheet,

then flattening it. and then expanding it laterally.

2. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes first slitting a sheet,

- metal, which includes slit-ting a strip, rolling it flat, and then expanding itylaterally in the direction of its original plane.

The iii'ethod of forming expanded sheet metal, which includes slitting a strip, fiattening it, expanding it laterally, and setting the bonds and strands in the same plane.

6. The method of forming expanded metal; which includes slitting the stock, rolling it flat and expanding it laterally by suceeasive rows.

7. The method of I forming expanded, metal, which includesslittingthe stock, roll-I ing it flat and expanding it intermittently by successive rows.

8. The method; metal, which includes slitting the stock, roll- 'ing it flat and expanding t by ,suecessive converging rows.

9. The method of expanding sheet metal, which included intermittently .feeding a slitted, strip and bending:;definite inclined rows of the material between the slits in directionilateraLto the line of feed aihd in substantially the original-plane; 1

10. The method of expanding sheet which includes intermittently feeding a alitted. strip,- and bending succeiisively row aftei= fowof inclined rows of theinaterial between the slits in a directionlateral to the line of feed and in substantially the original plane.

11. The method of expanding slitted sheet.

metaL-which includes intermittently feeding the slitted sheet and engaging the edges of an inclined row of bonds as to bend the connected strands gradually in the directionof the original plane of the stock.

12. The method of expanding slittcd sheet.

metal, which includes intermittently feeding the slitted. sheet, and engaging theedges of" an inclined row of bonds so as to bend the connected strands gradually in the direction of the original plane of the stock, and flat toning the bonds after the bending of the strands,

13. The method of forming: expanded metal, which includes slitting a sheet longitudinally, fcedi-ng it and bending individual iug' forwardly in the direction of feed.

14. The method of imagin a slitted in. The method oi exoanding a slitted .aich judo-(i of forming expanded.

metal,

16. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes successively engaging the edges of substantially a ll of the bonds of a slit-ted sheet beginning at the outer edge of the sheet and proceeding toward the center successively.

17. The method of expanding slit-ted metal, which includes the first steps of bending outwardly the corner strands of a sheet and then setting the strands.

18. The method of expanding slitted sheet metal, Whch includes first bendlng the corner strandsoutwardly and thereafter bending the succeeding strands outwardly step by step. I

19. The method of expanding slitted sheet metal, which includes the simultaneous bending of converging and diverging row's of strands step by step. y y

The method of expanding slitted sheet metal, whichincludes simultaneously engaging the inner edges of adjacent bonds indiverging rows and bending the strands outwardly. Y

21. The method of expanding slitted sheet 90 inetal. which includes engaging thebonds along converging rows and then along diverging rows and bending'thestrands outwardly.

225* The method of expanding slitted sheet menu, which includes successively bending thejetrands first along two inclined rows and then along two other inclined rows. 23 The method elf-expanding slitted sheet metal; which includes successively bending}. f the 'strands first along-two inclined. rows'and" l then along two other inclined rows of'dif ,i erent angles of inclination.

241 The method of expanding slitted sheet-q metal; which includes engaging portions of the st'hck along two convergingrows and exparading it laterally in its original plane. f [The n'lclhodof expanding slitted sheet melal; which includes engaging portioui of the stock along two converging rows and then along two other rows, and expanding it laterally. 1

26. The method of further expanding a partially expanded sheet, which includes interinittentl x' feeding thejsheet and bending outwardly diverging rows .of strands, v 27. 'lheihethod of expanding slitted sheet metal. wh ch includes bending convging sup ilemcntal bending to diverging rows. of strands. A The method of further ex andin'g aff partially expanded sheet, whicli include holdii'ig strands near the center while "Hi? verging rows are being bent outwardly,

132;. The method oi expanding slittcd' sheet at. which includesbendirig outw'aixllythc convex, .g= :rmva,holdihg t l1c rmvsot' strands and subsequently givlngaf metal, which includes successive cycles of sheet, which' ,:ihcludes feeding itlongitudn. nally o'f the-slitabxpanding it partially in the lateral expansion beyond said strands.

e the samev plane;

- tudinally, flattening it so as to partia y 30. Themethod. of expanding slitted sheet metal, which includes bending outwardly the strands of converging rows, holding the strandson both sides of the center, bending outwardly the strands of diverging rows, and intermittently flattening the bonds.

31. The method. of forming expanded.

operation, eachcycle consist-ing of expand: ing aportion', flattening it and thenfeedlng it. a

' 32. The method ibf iex'jimdingya slitted its originalplane in a lateral direction, holding certain strands adjacent the center to prevent excessive bending, and continuing 33. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes forming a strip with- ,partially opened" slits, then bending the strands laterally and setting the bonds in 34. The method 'of forming expanded metal, which includes .formi'n artially opened slits, then intermittently ending the strands and'setting the bonds in the same plane.

-35. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes forming a strip'with partially opened slits, then bending successively row after row of the strands set-ting the bonds in the same plane.

36. The method of expanding slitted sheet metal strips, which includes partially bend ing the strands and openin the slits, feeding the strip step by stop, an further bendingi116 strands between the partially opened s 'ts.

metal strips, which includes partially'bending the strands and opening the slits, feeding the strip step by step, and further bending the strands between the partially opened slits and setting the bonds and strands. 38. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes the successive and repeated bending of a limited number of strands of a slitted sheet, and setting the strands into the same lane with't-he bonds. '39. The ,method" 0 forming expanded metal, which includes slitting a strip lon .i-

open the slits, expanding the strip laterally, and flattening the expanded sheet to set the bonds and strands in the same plane.

40. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes slitting a strip, par tially opening the slits, and intermittently bending the strands and flattening the product. a

41. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes feeding a-s1itted stri lon itudinally a distance substantiall 'equa to t e distance between centers of e slits a strip with 4 panded port-ion of the strip.

ia a row, and opening a plurality of slits,

42..-The method of forming expanded metal, which includes feeding a slitted strip a distance substantially equal to the distance between centers of the slits in a row, and opening a plurality of slits,.repeating the operation of feeding and opening, and flattening the expanded portion after'each opening action. I I I A 43. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes the successive lateral expansion of limited portions of a slitted sheetinterspersed by flattening operations.

44. The method of expanding slitted sheet metal, which includes intermittently bendinga plurality of strands laterally and flattening the bonds.

45. The method of expanding slitted sheet metal, which includes bending a plurality of bonds.

46. The method of expanding'slitted metal, which includes intermittently 1ater-,

allybending and flattening the strands.

,47. The method of forming expanded sheet metal, which includes slitting a sheet and subsequently bending a plurality of strands simultaneously in a definite row by reciprocating punches sliding against the edges of the bonds. v48. The method of forming expanded n ietal, which includes forming a flat slitted sheet and then feeding it and engaging the loo edges of the bonds within'the slits to bend Ithe adjacent strands. p 49. The method of expanding slitted 37. The method of expanding slitted sheet metal strips, which includes engaging and turning the individual connecting bonds be .lfle turning the individual connecting bonds between the reticulations in line with the gen- 'eral direction of the edge of the expanded portion of the strip, and setting the bonds and strands in the same plane.

51. The. method of expanding slitted metal strips, which includes engaging and turning the individual connecting bonds between the reticulations in line with the general direction of the edge of the expanded portion of the strip, and flattening the bonds.

52. The method of expanding slitted' metal strips. which includes engaglng and turning the individual connecting bonds be tween the'reticulations in line with the general direction of the edge of the expanded portion of the strip, and flattening the strands.

53. The method of expanding slitted metal, which includes sunnltanemmly engaging the inner and outer edges of rows of edges of two rows of bonds to bend the adjacent strands.

55. The method of expanding a Slllltt sheet, which includes the engagement of both edges of a row of bonds to head the strands, and flattening the bonds while thus engaged.

56. The method of expanding slit-ted sheet metal, which includes engaging the inner edges of a plurality of bonds so as to bend the strands outwardly while they are directed by means engaging the outer edges of the bonds.

57. The method of expanding slitted sheet metal, which includes engaging the inner edges of a plurality of bonds so as to bend the strands outwardly while the are directed by means engaging the outer edges of the bonds, and then flattening the bonds.

58. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes engaging the opposite edges of a plurality of adjacent bonds of a sllitted sheet and expanding the sheet; lat r- 11 Ly.

59. The method of expanding slitted sheet metal, which includes the successive engaging and simultaneous directing of rows of bonds to expand the sheet.

60. The method of expanding slitted sheet metal, which includes simultaneously engaging bothedges of converging rows otlmnds and bending the strands outwardly.

' 61. The method of expanding slitted sheet metal, which includes simultaneously engaging both edges of converging rows of bonds, and subsequently engaging the inncredges of diverging rows of bonds.

62. The method of expanding slitted sheetmetal, which includes engagii'ig the honds with punches wider than the length of the hands and guiding the bonds while the strands are bent outwardly. i 63. The method of expanding slitted sheet metal, which includes engaging hoth edges of the bonds with punches wider than the. length of the bondsand guiding the bonds while the strands are bent outwardly.

54. The method of bending strands for expanding slitted Inctal strips. which in.

eludes the use of punches having operating to expand the 66. The u'rntitod ot'cxpandiug slilteil st ck. whichinc udes engaging the edges of ;t).tt( oi the hands and the adjawnt ends of the hendiug the 21 l strands, and bending the strands in a prede lei-mined manner.

; (37. The method of expanding slitl'ed stock, f which includes ngaging the edges of some of the hondsaud the adjacent ends of the i strands. bending the strands II] a predeterl l and strands.

I 'l lumethod ol expanding slitted metal. whieh in ludes engaging a plurality rot hoods lirsl n one edge and then on the other for directing the honds and bending the strands. i

(it). The method of expanding slitted metal. which in ludes engaging a plurality of rows of honds first on one edge and then on the other for directing the bonds and bending the strands.

T0. The method of. expamling slitted metal. which includes engaging plu ality of hoods first on one edge and then i the other for directing the honds and he Fug the strands, and then setting the liot'ul, a- -l strands in the HHHI plane.

7]. The method ol expanding slitt u metal. whirl: iurludes engaging a plurality of rows of honds first on one edge and then on the other in): dire ting the houds and ll l. and then wttiug the b nds and .ll'lll(l\' in the same plane.

TL. The method of expanding a lllltll sheet. uhi h inrludes feeding the sheet, expanding i laterally and rolling it but alllowing it to tort-shorten while held by the Feeding an lexpanding (lOYir'ts.

T-i. The method ol expanding aslitted shee which ilulu'lesllle engagement of the i: 'u-r edges of l'( or row: of hoods for headin; the adjat'ent strands sinmltaiumusly.-

Tl. The metlpnl of working sheet metal. which cou i-t in eetling a continuous slitted strip. expanding ,'lelinite rows of the same atright angles to the diret'tion of feed. and set- T The method of \\'orl{ing sheet metal. which comprises feeding a long strip of slitted' metal step by step. and expanding definite rows of the same in the original plane laterally ot' the direction of feed.

76. The method of expanding slitted sheet metal, which inelndes feeding the strip step by step, and intermittently expanding the metal laterally and flattening itas it is fed step by step.

T7. The method of forming expanded metal. which includes slitting a sheet by one instrumentality and then engaging in the slits by another instrtuncntality while the unexpanded part of the slitlcd sheet is held stationary.

Th. The method of -Formingexpanded metal. which includes stu'ressivelv engaging the edges of rows of honds of a previously slilted flat sheet. and then expanding the sheet laterally.

n ine tanner, and then setting the bonds.

ting the honds and strands in the same plane.

80. The method of forming expanded sheet metal, which includes slitting a sheet,

feeding it longitudinally, opening the slits in the direction of the original plane of the stock, and'flattening it intermittently.

81. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes slitting a sheet, feeding it, and intermittently engaging the ,edges of multiple rows bonds so as to bend the adjacent Strands.

82. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes intermittently feeding a slitted sheet and bending'a plurality of strands laterally in a singleplane.

83. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes intermittently feeding a slitted sheet and bending a p urality of strands laterally in a single plane and along two converging lines.

84. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes intermittently feeding a slitted sheet and bending a plurality of strands laterally simultaneously in a single plane. 85. The 'method' of expanding slitted sheet metal,,which includes guiding a strip at the center row of slits, expanding the strip laterally, and setting-the bonds and strands in the same plane.

86. The method of expanding slitted sheet metal, which includes guiding a strip at the center row of slits, expanding the strip laterally" along converging lines, and setting the bonds and strands in the same plane. 4

- 87. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes slitting a sheet, feeding it in a direction longitudinal of the slits, flattening the strip, guidin the strip along the center royv of slits, an expanding the strip laterally in its original plane.

88. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes slitting a sheet, feeding it in a direction longitudinal of theslits, flattening the strip, guiding the strip along the center row of slits, expanding the strip laterally in its original plane, and flattening the expanded strip.

89. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes slitting a sheet, feeding it in a directionlongitudlnal of the slits, guiding the stripalong the centen xow of slits, and expanding the strip laterally in its originalplane by engagement along con verging lines.

90. The method of forming expanded metal, which includes slitting a sheet, feeding it in a direction longitudinal of the slits, guiding the strip along the center row of slits, and expanding the strip laterally by engagement along converging lines and diverging lines.

91. The. method of expanding 'slitted sheets, which includes guidin a sheet along a definite row of slits, hgldin certain portions on each side to prevent un ue bending, and expanding the sheet laterally in its original plane.

92. The -method of expanding slitted sheets, which includes guiding a sheet along a definite row of slits,- holding certain ortions to prevent undue bending, expan ing the sheet laterally, and flattening the bonds and strands. a 93. The method of expanding slitted sheets, which includes guiding a sheet along adefinite row of slits, holding certain. portions to prevent undue bending, and expanding the sheet laterally along converging lines in itsoriginal'plane.

94. The method of expanding a slitted.

sheet, which includes rolling it, expanding it laterally by engagement along converging lines in its original plane, and rolling it.

95. .The method of ex anding a slitted.

sheet, which includes gui mg the sheet,.and expanding it laterally by engagement along converging lines in its original plane.

96. The method of expanding a slitted sheet, which includes guiding the sheet, expanding it laterally along converging lines, and 'flatteningthe bonds and strands.

97. The method of expanding a slitted sheet, which includes-a repetition of cycles consistin of feeding the sheet and engaging the e ges of'bonds in the slits of a plurality of rows simultaneously to bend the adjacent strands.

98. The method-of expanding a slitted sheet, which includes a repetition of cyclesconsisting of feeding the sheet and engaging the edges ofbonds in the slits of a plurality of rows simultaneously to bend the adjacent strands, and flattening the strands after each bending operation. I

99. The method. of forming expanded metal which includes first slitting the stock longitudinally so as to form strands and bonds in staggered arrangement then rolling it forwardlyiand setting the bonds and strands in to a common plane and finally expanding it laterally.

100. The process of forming expanded metal which includes successively forming rows of meshes and successively setting the strands of the rows whiohhave just been formed while the succeeding meshes are being formed. I

101. The process of forming expanded metal which includes rolling and flattening the slitted strip, punching open the successive slits and rolling and flattening the product. i

102. The process of forming expanded metal which includes slitting a sheet longitudinally, partially expanding it laterally, flattening the partially expanded sheet and then further expanding said sheet. I of punches.

1.03. The process of forming expanded NORRIS ELMORE CLARK. 5 metal which includes formin a series oil Witnesses:

meshes by one series of punc es and then L. G. CLARK, extending the openings by another series of A. V. BROOK.

punches adjacent thereto While a new series of meshes is being formed by the first series Ga nes of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner 0! Patents, Washington, D. C.

reed page 6, line 32, after the word strands insert the word and; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same- -1- win 5 may conform to the record of the case in the Patent; Ofiice.

t leen and sealed this 1stday of July, A. D, 1913.

[SEAL-l I G. C. BILIJNGS,

tudinally, partially expanding it laterally, flattening the partially expanded sheet and then further expanding said sheet. I of punches.

1.03. The process of forming expanded NORRIS ELMORE CLARK. 5 metal which includes formin a series oil Witnesses:

meshes by one series of punc es and then L. G. CLARK, extending the openings by another series of A. V. BROOK.

punches adjacent thereto While a new series of meshes is being formed by the first series Ga nes of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner 0! Patents, Washington, D. C.

reed page 6, line 32, after the word strands insert the word and; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same- -1- win 5 may conform to the record of the case in the Patent; Ofiice.

t leen and sealed this 1stday of July, A. D, 1913.

[SEAL-l I G. C. BILIJNGS, 

